THE Hotline jury is out on Ally McCoist over his willingness to let John Fleck go out on loan – with many Rangers fans fearing the decision will come back to haunt the SPL champions.

At a time when money is tight and the squad is already thin, few punters can understand the wisdom of letting any player leave Ibrox – especially one they rate highly – as Gers look to regain top spot.

Ian Loudon, Dunfermline, emailed: “I sincerely hope we’re not in line for another Charlie Adam situation with John Fleck.

“He will probably go to the Championship and be a star turn. We’ll sell Fleck for buttons and then two years later the club that buys him will make a fortune.

“Ally’s signings – Juan Ortiz, Alejandro Bedoya and Matt McKay – suggest he doesn’t have an eye for a player.”

Derek Ferguson, Londonderry, added: “If Rangers are willing to let Fleck go out on loan then I hope McCoist doesn’t even think about mentioning squad size as a reason if Rangers don’t win the league.”

And Joe McCormack, Glasgow, emailed: “First of all Fleck was going on loan because he needed games. Then he wasn’t going because of injuries and he actually got some game time. Now he’s going to the Championship again. Who is pulling the strings at Ibrox?”

James Robertson, Glasgow, is more worried about potential recruits. He said: “I know money is tight at Ibrox but it seems as if they’ve paid off their scouts as well. Rangers used to have guys all over the world but it’s like schoolboy stuff now with all these trials.

“Just because you’re on a limited budget shouldn’t mean you stop looking for players – it should be even more important.”

Who needs signings when the men in black help you? That was the theory of John Armstrong, Glasgow, who said: “Since Rangers are getting so many refereeing decisions I wonder if they should adopt Wet Wet Wet’s song With a Little Help from My Friends as an anthem.”

But Stuart Weir, Bishopbriggs, hit back and said: “Joe Taggart said in the Hotline that Craig Thomson’s performances in Rangers games should be examined.

“I’d like to respond by saying Thomson is the only referee I know to have given a penalty and then changed his own mind – as he did in the League Cup Final last season with Nikica Jelavic against Celtic.”

With Aberdeen’s record at Ibrox, Rangers shouldn’t need any help for a result on Saturday.

And Jim Alexander, Bishopbriggs, said: “I’m an Aberdeen fan and can’t believe it’s 21 years since we won at Ibrox. Yet people say the Dons lie down to Celtic. I hope that poor record is put right this weekend.”

Celtic fans are desperate to see the SPL trophy held aloft at Parkhead in May – and they reckon selling stars this month could put that in jeopardy.

Joe White, Greenock, said: “There’s no way Celtic should sell Gary Hooper. I know everyone has their price but it’s vital we keep everyone together at this stage.”

But Paul Price, East Belfast, would let one man go. He said: “I’d still take any offers for Georgios Samaras despite his game improving as his workrate and strike rate still aren’t good enough to be a Celtic player.”

Alan Lough, Dunbar, knows who his wife would like to see arrive at Parkhead in the transfer window – but that could be wishful thinking.

He said: “With Arsenal fans delighted at the return of Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes back at Old Trafford could Henrik Larsson do my Celtic-daft wife a favour and return to Parkhead? She never shuts up about him.”

Finally, George McNeil, Kilmarnock, called to complain about Old Firm dominance.

He said: “I see Vladimir Romanov is thinking of doing a U-turn and not selling Hearts. But he wants a change to the structure of Scottish football first and I partly agree with him on that.

“Crowds have dwindled in Scotland because they know it’s a two-horse race. Thirty per cent of TV money goes to the Old Firm – that’s why I don’t subscribe. As a Killie fan, why should I give them my cash?”